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Only way to rebuild the economy is the IMF – President

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has acknowledged that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the only institution that can support a struggling country like Sri Lanka, and therefore, if there are alternative proposals to the government’s program, he is willing to provide the opportunity to submit them to the IMF.

He also criticized political parties for playing games and lying to the people without presenting their proposals.

“There is only one way to rebuild this collapsed economy. That is the International Monetary Fund. Different political parties are presenting different stories. I suggested to them to let me know if there is another way to resurrect the collapsed economy,” he said.

The President said this during a meeting with businessmen and lawyers in the Kandy district.

He also noted that the government has completed 15 points assigned during the negotiations with the IMF.

“The government started negotiations with the International Monetary Fund last August. Accordingly, it was possible to agree on the staff level agreement in September. They assigned us fifteen tasks to complete. The International Monetary Fund gave us until December 31 to implement it. But we couldn’t do it on that particular day. Then we made plans to get time until January 31st.  Even at that time, we were unable to complete those 15 points. Finally, the deadline was pushed back to February 15. By 06:00 pm  on February 15th, we completed all that was expected of us and sent them to Washington.”

“Only one of these fifteen issues was being delayed. It is related to the increase in electricity tariffs. The Electricity Board incurs  Rs.230 billion each year in losses. According to the International Monetary Fund, government taxes should not be used to support institutions. It was informed that if this occurs, the International Monetary Fund will not provide assistance. However, one person in this country opposed the decision to increase the electricity tariff.”

“As a result, receiving assistance from the International Fund was delayed by six weeks. Alternatively, we could have completed this by the end of January. All 15 tasks assigned to us have been completed. Now it is up to the International Monetary Fund.”

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Won’t allow any breach of law & order during my tenure – President

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that during his presidency, no one will be allowed to breach the law and order of the country. He emphasized that he will prioritize doing what is right over doing what is popular, and that presenting popular ideas can lead to the destruction of the country.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said this during his address to the Tri Forces & Police officers and other rankers at the Air Force Base, Anuradhapura, as the Commander in Chief of the armed forces.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe asserted that no one is entitled to engage in violent protests on the streets, but all political parties have the right to express their opinions or criticize him in a peaceful manner.

He emphasized the importance of doing the right thing, and mentioned that they presented the International Monetary Fund agreement to the parliament to assess whether the parliamentarians had the courage to make the right decisions for the betterment of the country.

The President referred to the International Monetary Fund agreement as an example and expressed his expectation for everyone’s assistance in making the IMF program successful. He also stated that if the country adopts a fresh approach and embarks on a new journey, it can achieve significant development within the next 25 years.

The President asserted that Sri Lanka will win the economic war, similar to the successful fight against terrorism, adding that measures would be taken to establish economic independence in the country.

The President acknowledged that the armed forces and police will continue to play a crucial role in achieving economic independence, and also assessed the actions of the armed forces and police in maintaining law and order during the previous year.

The President expressed gratitude towards the armed forces for fulfilling their responsibility, as without their efforts, Sri Lanka would have become an anarchic state. He also mentioned that the ongoing competition between world powers is affecting the Indian Ocean, and he intends to take action as the President to protect Sri Lanka from this influence.

The President emphasized that future military situations can be shaped by technology and knowledge, unlike in the past. He highlighted the need for the armed forces and police to be equipped with modern technology and knowledge to overcome future challenges. The President initiated the Defence 2030 program, aiming to strengthen the defence forces of Sri Lanka.

The President also announced that stringent laws will be introduced to combat the drug scourge, and no amnesty will be granted to drug offenders. 

The President said that he had instructed the Minister of  Law and Order Tiran Alles, and Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksha to take strict action against such offenders and to utilize the support of the armed forces in this effort.

Minister of State for Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Mr Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence GeneralKamal Gunaratne (Rtd), Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshan Pathirana, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Inspector General of Police Mr. C.D. Wickramaratne and around 1200 other rankers of the Tri Forces and Police were present on this occasion.

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39 Chinese nationals arrested over online financial fraud

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At least 39 Chinese nationals have been arrested by the Aluthgama police in connection with an online financial fraud.

Police said the suspects had defrauded millions of money over several months through the internet from the accounts of people in different countries.

The group had been staying in a tourist resort in the Kaluamodara area in Aluthgama and Police said they were arrested based on complaints received through several embassies.

While the arrested Chinese nationals were taken to the Alutgama police, several smartphones and cash in their possession were also taken into custody by police.

(dailymirror.lk)

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2 students killed during big match vehicle parade

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Two students were killed and seven others injured after a cab toppled during the vehicle parade held in view of the big match between Uva Paranagama Maha Vidyalaya and Dharmadutha College this afternoon, Police said.

The injured were admitted to the Badulla Hospital.

The accident occurred when the vehicles paraded around the ground during the match.

Further investigations are underway

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